Emergency shelter available at FdL County Fairgrounds

Ways to get help and help others

Jun. 13, 2008 2:48 PM

Written by

The Reporter Staff

A 24-hour emergency shelter for flood victims has been set up in the recreation center building at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds, located on Fond du Lac Ave.

The shelter is providing food, clothing, basic hygiene kits and a place to sleep for people who have evacuated their homes.

The Red Cross is expecting to house about 150 residents overnight, said Jamie Haack, director of communications and fund development.

Donations of food came from Festival Foods and Pick ‘N Save stores.

North Fond du Lac

The Salvation Army also has shelter available for community members in North Fond du Lac set up at Friendship Learning Center, 115 Thurke Avenue. That shelter may shut down on Saturday, said Salvation Army disaster committee leader Jim Scharf.

“It will depend on the need. As of 1 a.m. Friday about 89 people came in, but now many of them are returning home,” Scharf said. “We offer food, water, bedding and a place to relax,” he said.

Pets

People are not allowed to bring their pets to any of the emergency shelters, but they can contact the Fond du Lac Humane Society at 922-8873 to get help finding a temporary shelter for their pets, said shelter manager Lucy Mathers.

Clean-up

Clean-up kits for basements and other flooded-damaged areas in homes are available by calling 922-3450. The kits include buckets and mops, bleach, and basic clean-up equipment.

Home assessments

The Red Cross will begin disaster assessment within the next couple of days to decide if further assistance can be given to those whose homes have been damaged due to flooding. Those with damaged homes seeking direct Red Cross assistance can call 1-866-Get-Info for more information.

How to donate or volunteer

Monetary donations can be sent to the Fond du Lac Chapter of the Red Cross at 272 N. Main St., Fond du Lac, WI 54935, or by calling 1-800-Redcross or by making a secure online donation at www.redcross.org.

Those who would like to volunteer can contact the Fond du Lac red Cross office at 922-3450 or the Fond du Lac Volunteer center at 926-1414.